Categories

The categories below are to celebrate excellence and recognise activity that has made an outstanding contribution to the furtherance of social mobility.

Individual Categories

1. CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD

Tackling social mobility takes vision, commitment and leadership. This award celebrates a senior leader who has had the imagination to “think big”. By embedding and promoting initiatives that address social mobility across their organisation, to being a proud advocate for change, this is a leader making change happen by being a visible, pioneering voice to improve the life chances of those people who really need our help.

2. MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Who would be a mentor and take someone under their wing and help them navigate the challenges that come with building a career? From inspiring young people to dream big, to simply providing a calm word at the right time, this award celebrates those who provide wisdom, advice and support to help the development of those within their organisation, or without, from a less-advantaged background.

3. RISING STAR AWARD

Some people stand out, even if they are still early on in their career. They are natural leaders, who have a vision of the world they want to see and the drive and determination to turn their vision into reality. They make a positive impression on those around them, displaying exceptional qualities that inspire others to follow their lead. This award recognises those who are still in the early stages of their career (30 years or under) who have already made a significant contribution to advancing the cause of social mobility. These are the role models of the future making a difference right now.

Organisational Categories

4. ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

Business is tough. Dealing with customers, stakeholders and staff can consume a lot of time and energy. Yet the best companies focus on their people, look to the future and realise that a commitment to social mobility is a business imperative that sets them apart. This award therefore celebrates those firms making an outstanding commitment to social mobility issues. From an open-minded recruitment process, through innovative development and progression initiatives, to broader community activities and overall advocacy of social mobility issues, this company makes it its business to make a tangible difference to the life chances of others.

5. INNOVATION AWARD

Good ideas can change the world. The challenge of delivering social mobility requires organisations to think differently about the work they do with their colleagues, communities and wider society. But where there is challenge, there is also opportunity. Organisations who grasp this opportunity are those who realise that the old ways do not work. They find new ways to think, act and influence, inspiring others along the way. This award recognises an organisation that is leading the way in supporting social mobility in new and innovative ways.

6. LEADERSHIP OF THE YEAR AWARD

How do we make sure that the promise of social mobility cannot be ignored? What we do beyond our organisation matters. We need to speak up for social mobility. That requires us to reach new audiences and meet new stakeholders. It requires us to make new friends, build new alliances and demonstrate the benefits of tackling social mobility in society. This award recognises those companies who have taken their commitment to social mobility to new places in unexpected ways, affecting systemic change along the way.

7. RECRUITMENT PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR AWARD

It is time to help others take their first step on the ladder. This award celebrates the organisations that are leading the way in recruitment practices and programmes that tackle social mobility issues head on. From sourcing prospective employees from unexpected places, to figuring out how best to support them as they begin their careers, these are the firms leading the way in recruitment that supports social mobility.

8. PROGRESSION PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR AWARD

How high can you go? It is not just about recruitment, or the first step on the ladder. It is about helping those without the support networks to climb as high as their talent will take them. This award celebrates the organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to pushing talent onwards and upwards, to become the leaders of tomorrow.

9. COMMUNITY PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR AWARD

We cannot do this alone. Tackling social mobility is a team effort. This award celebrates the programmes organisations are running that make a tangible difference to our communities. These organisations are raising young people’s aspirations, developing their skills and business awareness, and are helping them understand their future education and employment opportunities – bridging the gap between the classroom and the boardroom. In short, these companies are helping young people to be more prepared for the world of work and more successful within it, through initiatives that are making a real difference to the employment and life chances of those that need the most help in our communities.